Balloth ekka be at Punchi Theatre

A scene from Balloth ekka be

Balloth ekka be, the popular stage drama written and directed by Ravindra Ariyarathne will be staged on September 2 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Borella. The cast includes Wijaya Nandasiri, Kumara Thirimadura, Roshan Pilapitiya, Gihan Fernando and Anusha Dissanayaka.

Viva Vivaldi at the Wendt

Il prete rosso (The Red Priest), as Vivaldi was called, is best known for his "Gloria" and the celebrated Le Quattro Stagione (The Four Seasons), and less for his other hundreds of concerti for a variety of instruments.

Most of his concerti have characteristic vibrant rhythms, flowing melodies, pictorial instrumental effects, and instrumental technique that would later inspire Bach and Handel, and would come to epitomize Baroque music in general.

For over 36 years, he wrote works to be performed by a talented group of female musicians at the Ospedale della Pietà, a home for abandoned children.

The Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC), in collaboration with the Conservatario di musica "G. Verdi" di Milano, and the Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, presents Viva Vivaldi!, on September 5 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.30pm.

The program includes The Four Seasons, with Paolo Tagliamento from Treviso, already a virtuoso on his instrument aged 15 years. In contrast, Gordon Fantini, First Bassoon at the "Cantar Settecento" and the Respighi Quartet, will play the rare Bassoon Concerti in E minor and G minor (RV 484 and RV 495).

The concert is directed by guest conductor Leo Phillips, a former concertmaster of the London Philharmonic and leader of the renowned Nash Ensemble. His other credits include co-writing the screenplay for "Vivaldi - The Movie" (2006). The CMSC is lead by its artistic director and concertmaster, Lakshman Joseph de Saram.

Globalisation and its challenges

A book written by Senior journalist and former Editor of the Daily News and the Sunday Observer Jayatilleke de Silva titled Globalisation and its Challenges will be launched at the Sri Lanka Library Services Board auditorium, Nidahas Mawatha, Colombo 7 on Tuesday , August 28 at 4 p.m.

Human Resources Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera will be the chief guest. Dr. Lloyd Fernando, Program Director, Public Policy, Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura will deliver a lecture on "Globalisation and Development".

Bala Viyaruva

Palitha Jayakody's latest book Bala Viyaruva was launched in Colombo recently as a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.

It is the Sinhala translation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' I am a Barbarian.

A scene from the film

Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka

Prasanna Vithanage's seventh feature film Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka which had its world premiere at the 36th Montreal World Film Festival opened on August 23 will conclude on September 3. It will feature in the "World Greats" section of the festival.

The film's Asian premiere will be held at Fukuoka International Film Festival in Japan from September 14 to 21. Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka is a bilingual film (Sinhala/Tamil) which stars Shyam Fernando, Indian actress Anjali Patil, Wasantha Moragoda and Maheshwari Ratnam.

M.D. Mahindapala (Cinematographer), A. Sreekar Prasad (Editor), Lakshman Joseph De Saram (Music Composer), Tapas Nayak (Sound Designer) and Rob Nevis (Production Designer) have contributed to Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka. Daminda D. Madawala is the Assistant Director and Ebert Wijesinghe handled the make-up. Kalpana Ariyawansa and Vindana Ariyawansa contributed as line producers.

A co-production between India and Sri Lanka, Lasantha Nawarathna and Mohamed Adamaly produced Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka. Rahul Roy, Iranthi Abeysinghe, Sunil Fonseka and Nadira Adamaly joined as the executive producers.

Adaraneeya Sanvadayak

A scene from the play

Sunil Chandrasiri's Adaraneeya Sanvadayak will be staged at the Lumbini Theatre on August 30 at 6.45 p.m. It is the Sinhala production of Mario Benedetti's Pedro and the Captain. The cast includes Janaka Kumbukage, Saranga Disasekara and Anuruddha Gambiraarachchi.

Chandana Wijekoon

Lahore Balakotuva

Chandana Wijekoon's latest book Lahore Balakotuva was launched in Colombo recently. It is the Sinhala translation of Pakistan Archaeological specialist Mohammad Ilyas Bhatti's Lahore Fort - Pakistan's Glorious Heritage.

Pin Ethi Devivaru

Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera's latest books on Buddhism Pin Ethi Devivaru and Ama Dam Rasa Vehena Vistharartha, Dhamma Padaya were launched at the Mahamewuna Meditation Centre, Polgahawela recently. Both books are Dayawansa Jayakody publications.

Thenithalave Koti Dadayama

Kusumsiri Wijayawardhana's latest adolescent novel Thenithalave Koti Dadayama was launched in Colombo recently as a Dayawansa Jayakody Publication.